Fond Du Lac Band Buy Sacred Island

DULUTH, Minn. (AP) — The Fond du Lac Band of the Lake Superior Chippewa has purchased a sacred Ojibwe island on the St. Louis River.

The band bought the nearly 6-acre Spirit Island from a Duluth resident for $150,000. Band chairwoman Karen Diver says the acquisition is a “significant reclamation” of land and culture and says it’s much “like plugging a hole in our cultural spirit.”

The island was a stopping place in the migration of the Anishinaabe people from the northeastern part of the continent. The ancestors of the Fond du Lac Band stayed in the area.

Diver tells the Duluth News Tribune that the purchase ensures the island will never be developed.

Give me a break. The US fought the Indians in many battles and the Indians lost. That’s war. That’s accomplishment. It was dirty. It was rotten. It was no different than politics today. I bet they don’t do that again. AND… if they tried, they’d lose what they have left too. Something to be said about that method vs the mamsy pamsy approach of today’s politicians. If you don’t like what we have, YOU be the first to stand up and give your home back to the Indians then. YOU give YOUR land back, this all belonged to them, correct? I’m pleased with my acreage, proud and paid for. Squanto or no Squanto.

Temper now! If you kept track on what going on concerning Spirit Island I am pleased at this deal’s outcome. The developers who wanted the island wanted to make it into hoity-toity luxury condos, thus, spoiling the natural panorama or views of the St. Louis River. The Fond-du-Lac want the island to go back to its natural environmental state without the disruptive development.

As for the nasty comments, here on this thread, toward this deal I suggest you reconsider and think about the environmental headaches and all that major development would do to the serenity of the area. The Fond-du-Lac regaining title to the island would be harmonious to and for all concerned. It’s a win/win reclamation that will be beneficial for all. It just might promote peace and goodwill for all people and citizens.

Personally, I love the view of the St Louis River. I would love it even more from a 10 story high rise while I sit in the penthouse hot tub and sip on a cold one. In the eye of the beer holder my friend.

@James
Do your hi-rise viewing on the high ground[skyline cliffs] way downriver of Spirit Island. Don’t ruin a good natural view for the rest of us. Better yet, build a modest cabin on the high ground bluffs amidst the treeline. Now there’s you view to enjoy your brewskis!